ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast

In this episode, Melanie sits down with Richmond-based OB/GYN and host of the Birth With Power podcast, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins. Having known each other for the past 14 years, they dive into Nicole's personal journey into medicine, what inspired her to become an OB/GYN, and the experiences that continue to shape her approach to caring for her patients today. As a physician of color practi...

🫶 Episode 128 features a conversation with Melanie Russell and Natalie Karasiewicz, sharing the story and vision behind the A Brighter Birth Collective. Melanie founded the collective 18 years ago in Richmond, VA, creating a space rooted in support, education, and community for growing families. Now, with Natalie recently opening the Charleston, SC location, A Brighter Birth Collective continues...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Cole for a powerful conversation about one of the five essential components of our doula training: Collaboration 🤝 What does it really mean to collaborate as a doula within a maternity care system that’s often built on hierarchy? How do we support and advocate for our clients while maintaining respectful, professional relationships with providers and nurses?...

For many birth workers, doula work is more than a role — it’s a doorway. In this episode, we explore how working as a doula can shape, inform, and prepare someone for the path to midwifery 🌱 Through personal reflection and lived experience, this conversation with Tori Mitchell CNM , dives into the skills, lessons, and perspective gained at the bedside: holding space, building trust, navigating sy...

💛 When Birth Plans Change: Navigating, Advocating & Processing  Birth doesn’t always follow the plan- and when things shift, doulas are often holding so much more than labor support. In this episode of the ToRAISE Questions Doula Podcast , Melanie Russell sits down with Birth Doula, Cece Peace to talk honestly about what it’s like when a client’s birth plan goes awry. Together, they explore h...

😅 What happens when you’re called to two births at the same time—or you’ve just walked out of one birth and another client needs you? It’s one of the most stressful and tender realities of doula life… and one we don’t talk about enough. In this episode, Melanie sits down with experienced Doula, Breastfeeding Specialist and Educator- Sarah Cole to explore how to navigate overlapping labors, backup...

🕊️ Connection, creativity, and community — plus the best food ever. Rae’s story will leave you inspired to slow down, fill your cup, and do the work you love. Watch the full video version here: https://youtu.be/kC_J5nNxzDM In this uplifting episode, Melanie Russell sits down with brand new Doula Rae Thweat to talk about their transformative experience at ToLABOR’s latest Combo Doula Training + Ret...

🌿 Melanie Russell is back with big news: ToLABOR’s brand-new Combo Doula Training + Retreat has arrived! Watch the full video version here: https://youtu.be/kdZoxtDIT9Q This unique approach to doula education goes beyond classroom-style learning—it’s a thoughtfully designed experience that combines evidence-based training with restorative practices like yoga, meditation, sound baths, and shared m...

🎙️ Melanie Russell is back in the studio — and it feels so good! Watch the full video version here: https://youtu.be/8l6T131Q4tI After an 8 year hiatus, the ToRAISE Questions Doula podcast returns with fresh energy and a whole lot of heart. In this episode, Melanie reintroduces the pod and reflects on the many transitions that have unfolded — both within ToLABOR and in her own life — since the las...

Thérèse spends time talking to Valerie Drews who is a birth doula in the Chicago area (http://www.sacred-pregnancy.com/ ),about her experience being a doula for her sister's births. Is it hard to stay in the role as doula when you are also a family member? Her sister/client, Nichole Oakapal joins the conversation to give her perspective. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource...

Dana Jarmon shares her birth story with Thérèse. Dana a birth doula herself, discusses the impact of having a doula present at her birth and also how it may have informed her own doula practice. www.kindredspiritsdoula.com. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated e...

Thérèse has a conversation with Heather Self, a birth doula who had an extremely traumatic birth and the impact it has had on her practice as a doula. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum — designed to h...

It's been a long time since our last podcast and Thérèse takes a few moments to say hello again and talk about some of the lessons learned on her journey this past summer. The ToRAISE Questions Doula podcast offers thoughtful, unfiltered conversations for doulas and birth workers who want to deepen their knowledge, elevate their practice, and uphold the integrity of birth work. Each episode f...

Thérèse has a conversation with Emily Bruno, a Certified Birth Doula and one of the owners of My Birth in Richmond VA about how to best support a client who is planning to have a VBAC. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor, bir...

Thérèse has a conversation with Karry Wolf Anderson, a doula in the Chicago area. They discuss Karry's life as a mother, wife, doula and massage therapist and how she balances it all throughout these years of being active in birth work. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclus...

Thérèse continues her conversation with Cary York, a lactation consultant about how we can support a person who is having latch issues as well as, the different postions that can be used while breastfeeding. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education coverin...

Thérèse talks with Cary York, a lactation consultant about undisturbed breastfeeding, what it looks like and how it can be protected in that first hour and the days after birth The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor, birth, and...

Thérèse talks with Cheyenne Varner cheyennevarner.com about an article she recently wrote entitled, "8 Things to Know About Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice". The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor, birth, and p...

Thérèse talks with Emily Landry, www.emilylandrydoula.com, from Tulsa Ok about a service she offers to new doulas, doula mentorship. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum — designed to help clients feel i...

Thérèse talks with Jocelyn Alt, a certified professional birth doula in Seattle how has helped to start a successful hospital doula program where the doulas get paid a living wage and and the clients and staff reap the benefits as well. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive,...

Thérèse and Melanie spend time together talking about the toLabor doula workshops, how they help to emulate the spirit, the intention necessary in birth work and how they may help to transform our own personal lives. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated educatio...

Thérèse talks with Jen Kamel the creator and director of VBACFacts.com about the true risks of a VBAC, what does the evidence show, what are the practices in place, why are these practices in place and so much more. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education...

Thérèse talks with the Debby Prudhomme & Melissa Gutierrez Nelson from the non-profit organization Everyday Miracles. This Minneapolis MN based organization provide free birth doula services and classes to any pregnant woman on medicad. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusi...

Thérèse and Melanie have a conversation wth Kate, a doula from Pennsylvania who faced an unexpected and difficult situation with their clients in the midst of their labor The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpa...

Thérèse continue her dialogue with guest, Stephanie Spencer the Director of Urban Baby Beginning, a non-profit organization that provides doula and childbirth services to low-income women. The Educated Birth toolkit binder is a trusted resource for doulas, birth workers, and educators. Created by Cheyenne Varner, it includes 155+ pages of inclusive, illustrated education covering pregnancy, labor,...